Few themes in this world are as classic as a love story. And in this spot titled “The Fisherman” for Interflora–directed by Martin Werner via Copenhagen-based production company Bacon for Danish agency Pong–we are introduced to a couple experiencing all the struggles, hardships, and beautiful moments that love entails. (Werner is handled by RESET in the U.S. market.)
CreditsClient Interflora Agency Pong Mikkel Elung, Sigurd Bjerre, creative directors. Production Company Bacon, Copenhagen Martin Werner, director; Mette Jermiin, exec producer; Lasse Frank, DP; Nana Ama Rothenborg, Nicholas Perry, Oliver K. Sand, production managers; Simone Grau, production designer. Postproduction Spectre Christian Schandorff, effects. Editorial Art Official Agency Rasmus Nyholm Schmidt, editor. Sound Design ballad Adrian Aurelius, sound designer. Music Title “Slow Mover”; Louis Alenius, Ben Kaniewski, composers. VFX BaconX Kai Hauswirth, Johannes Engelhardt, VFX. Color BaconX Lasse Selvli, colorist.
Filmmaker Natalie Johns Creates Spec Gun Violence Prevention PSA
Her social media feed is filled with frustration and “prayers” for families torn apart by yet another mass shooting as filmmaker Natalie Johns is engaged in the morning ritual of negotiating school attendance with her 4½-year-old. Between laughing and arguing with their daughter, the Johns think deeply about the prospect of waking up without her--deeply enough to feel an inch of what it might be like to lose her--a feeling profound enough inspire her most personal commitment to date as a filmmaker.
“Gun violence should not be a normalized part of life in America,” she noted. “I felt it was worth putting my whole heart on the line to deliver this message.”
The director invited her long-time collaborator and cinematographer, Bill Kirstein (Mean Girls, Happyend), to capture their family’s experience over several mornings in a spec PSA. She wanted to capture her own joy and truth as a parent with a view to inspiring action from the deepest love she has known.
On the third day of filming, Johns received an email from their daughter’s preschool notifying parents of a lockdown that had occurred due to a gunman outside the school. The children, aged 2-5, were gathered in a small bathroom for an hour, singing songs with their teachers while the man was apprehended by law enforcement. This was the family’s first narrow escape from tragedy.
“The coincidence of filming this PSA and experiencing my family’s first lockdown was both shocking and surreal. I simply could not wrap my head around it,” said director Johns.
Even more terrifying for Johns was discussing the incident with other parents who had already experienced several lockdowns with their older children. This reality is all too common and far too... Read More